‘Snitch line’ has Orwellian overtones

I am an educator. Unlike every stereotype the public has about teachers relaxing for two months, I spent my summer working, preparing for a full year of professional learning with my colleagues.

Like all professionals, I have tried to ensure that the resources I will use are based on evidence, so I relied on the Ministry of Education’s website to support my learning.

When I visited the ministry’s website, I found a disclaimer that said, “This information was posted by the previous government.”

I was astonished. I wasn’t looking up policy. I wasn’t even looking up curriculum. I was looking for documents on child and adolescent development and how to prepare for student success. Had this changed since the provincial election?

Article Continued Below

The new “snitch line” for the public to report teachers who dare to deliver the 2015 health curriculum and consider the best interests of their students over a government’s political gain seems a little Big Brotherish to me.

This was when the new reality dawned on me.

I didn’t realize that now all policy and curriculum development was going to be based on public opinion instead of research.

We now have a provincial government akin to an Orwellian novel. Government worrying about being popular so they can stay in control.

There is little interest in research, evidence, academia and how these endeavours can improve the quality of life for an individual, community, society or culture. The government is interested in power — wielding power for petty private and corporate interests.

I have very little time left in my public education teaching career, but I now see that there will always be a need to be an educator, because we are living in a time when people will need critical thinking skills more than ever before.

Nora Green, Toronto

Article Continued Below

As the school year gets started, please consider using the Conservative’s “snitch line” as a medium for praising the good work done by your child or grandchild’s teacher(s), thereby providing an antidote to the character assassination that is the intended purpose of the “snitch line.” Our kids need an education that prepares them for the 21st century in all areas of life.